[Summary] North Korea Fires 3 Projectiles... Likely in Response to Sanctions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] North Korea fired three short-range projectiles again into the East Sea on the 9th.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "This morning, three unidentified projectiles were detected launched from the Seondeok area in South Hamgyong Province toward the northeast over the East Sea," adding, "Our military is tracking and monitoring related movements in preparation for additional launches while maintaining a readiness posture."

It is known that these projectiles flew a maximum distance of 190 to 200 km. Military authorities are conducting a detailed analysis of the projectiles' flight distance, altitude, and other specific parameters in cooperation with the U.S. military. North Korea previously launched a super-large multiple rocket launcher in the Seondeok area of South Hamgyong on August 24 last year. On the 2nd of this month, at approximately 12:37 PM, North Korea fired two super-large multiple rocket launcher projectiles from near Wonsan toward the northeast direction over the East Sea. At that time, the two projectiles flew 240 km at a low altitude of 35 km. The interval between the shots was analyzed to be 20 seconds.

North Korea's provocation comes just five days after Chairman Kim Jong-un sent a letter to President Moon Jae-in on the 4th, expressing condolences to the people in the South who are fighting against COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection). The consecutive launches by North Korea are highly likely a response to ongoing sanctions against the North.

In particular, some interpret this launch as a reaction to the statement issued on the 5th (local time) by five European countries in the United Nations Security Council? the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, and Estonia?condemning the launch of the super-large multiple rocket launcher as a violation of Security Council resolutions.

A spokesperson for North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on the 7th, "The reckless actions of these countries, prompted by the United States, will ignite another serious response from us," and argued, "If even the routine training of multiple rocket launcher units is subject to condemnation and considered a violation of some resolution, then how are we supposed to counter the military forces of the United States and South Korea right in front of us, and how are we supposed to protect our country?"

Earlier, Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party and younger sister of Chairman Kim Jong-un, issued a statement on the 3rd criticizing the Blue House's expression of concern over North Korea's joint strike drills during a meeting of related ministers, calling it "an overbearing and frivolous act" and "the height of impudence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.